Grilled Watermelon, Feta and Basil Salad is perfect for summer! Sweet watermelon paired with salty feta, fresh basil, and tart lime juice is a refreshing and delicious combination!
You aren’t going to believe this, but the first watermelon I bought this summer just happened to be for this salad. I know! Watermelon is one of my favorite fruits to eat in the summer, I usually end up eating it until I practically make myself sick. There’s something about the crisp bite and all that refreshing sweet juice!
The problem I have with watermelon is that half the time I buy one it ends up being gross. Either mealy in texture, which is the worst, or pale inside and not sweet at all. I do the tapping method when I’m trying to pick one out, seeing if it sound hollow inside. I look for a heavy one and one that doesn’t have any of the stem still attached. None of this matters in my case, I still end up with a gross one 50% of the time. What methods do you use for picking out a good watermelon?
Well, luck was on my side with the baby watermelon I bought to make this Grilled Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad. I decided to start small and buy the baby size instead of a full size one, just in case it was lacking in the flavor and texture department. Another great thing about the baby sized watermelon is that it didn’t hog up an entire shelf of my fridge!
So, this salad. You knew I had to find one more excuse to grill something, so why not throw some slices of watermelon on? Grilled watermelon is delicious, but just be careful not to grill it too long. If you do it gets kind of mushy and slimy which is not good.
If you don’t have a grill or don’t want to bother you can skip that step, but I highly recommend giving it a try. Watermelon paired with feta is a magical sweet and salty combination that I absolutely love! Then when you throw in the freshness of the basil and that tart acid from the lime it really send this salad over the top.
I finished the salad with a sweet balsamic reduction drizzled on top which not only made the grilled watermelon salad look beautiful, but completed the sweet and salty flavors of this delicious summer salad!
Grilled Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups cubed watermelon
- 4 ounces feta cheese, cut into cubes
- 1-2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling on top of the salad
Instructions
- Cut the watermelon into 1 inch thick slabs and lightly brush them with olive oil. Place the slabs of watermelon cut side down onto a heated grill and grill for about 2-3 minutes per side or until marked and warm.
- Remove from the grill and cut off the rind, then cut into 1 inch cubes. Toss the grilled watermelon with the basil, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Stir in the cubed feta being careful not to break it up.
- Drizzle the salad with the balsamic reduction before serving. Salad is best made and eaten the day it is served.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 395mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 6g
Summer Chickpea Salad
This recipe is delicious!
Side note: The key to picking out a good watermelon is to look for a yellow belly on the outside, that is where the melon was on the ground and a key indicator that is is ripe.
Yes, great tip Meredith!
Hope you don’t mind I linked to your recipe on my blog post at http://www.the208group.com/2016/06/03/summer-bbq-side-dishes/. Thanks for sharing!
Not at all! Thanks so much for sharing Kelly!
I can’t wait to make this salad! I have a question: how long does this salad keep? Is it best to serve immediately, or can it be made a day before?
Hi Kimberly. It’s probably best to make the salad and serve it the same day. The watermelon tends to weep and release juice the longer it sits.
This salad recipe looks so yummy that I just had to feature it in my “Sensational Summer Salads” roundup! Come check it out when you have a chance :) xo http://dreamingofleaving.com/2016/05/10/sensational-summer-salads/
Thank you and thanks for the feature as well!
I hate a mealy watermelon! It is such a waste. My favorite part is the pieces with the white rind! Gorgeous salad here!
Thanks Julianne! Mealy watermelon is the worst! I’d rather have one with no flavor than that gross texture.
I am horrible at picking out watermelons so I can’t give any advice! I always end up with ones that are not sweet at all. So disappointing because, like you, watermelon is my favorite fruit to eat in the summer. I need to try this salad soon!
Thanks Ashley! I’m glad it’s not just me that has issues picking out a perfect melon!
I was never big on watermelon until this year. Now I can’t get enough – it’s so sweet and flavorful! Salads like these are definitely my favorite way to eat it.
Thanks Lauren, I couldn’t agree more!
Dear Danae, You have combined my favorites in one dish and I love it! I could live off this cool and delicious salad all summer long. Nothing like feta with melon…the basil just ties it all together. Beautiful dish. xo, Catherine
Thanks Catherine! Feta and watermelon are such a great combination!
I never would have thought to pair these two together, but it looks and sounds like an amazing salad! Since we all love watermelon and feta here, I’m going to give it a try!
Thanks Michelle, I hope you like it!
This looks incredible!! I love watermelon! I feel the same as you – I pick out crappy watermelons half the time. You know what I’ve started to do? I’ll ask the produce guy to cut it open for me so I can try it. They are totally willing to do it with any fruit you want to try! Oh and I just made a balsamic reduction for the first time the other week – in love! Can’t wait to make this!!
Thanks Jen! I love your tip about asking the produce guy to cut it open and let you try it, so smart! I’ll have to try that when I buy my next one.
This salad sounds amazing! Balsamic vinegar and watermelon goes so well together! Love that you grilled the watermelon too!
Thanks Kelley! I love balsamic and watermelon together!
This is a beautiful salad. I love grilling fruit, especially watermelon! These flavors together make such a great salad.
Thanks Julia! Grilling fruit is turning into one of my new favorites!
This looks delicious, definitely a great summertime dish!
Thanks Marye!
I think it is inevitable to get a bad watermelon at times–no matter what you do to try to pick one out! I am hoping my next one is a good one, because I HAVE to make this salad asap. It reminds me of my grandma salting fresh watermelon because she said the salt brought out the flavor!
Your grandma was absolutely right Kristen! The salt really does enhance the watermelon flavor, I love it!